I recently purchased a copy of Napoleon and the Empire of Fashion. This is definitely a must have for Regency Costuming Fans. It has photos of real french extent gowns from 1795 - 1815. I bought my copy from the Book Depository for $31.00 (AUS$) delivered free to my door. Here is the link to the book Napoleon and the Empire of Fashion Book If you pay any more for this book you got ripped off.

This book will be one of my treasures for this period. I have decided it will probably be the last book on this era I will buy.

Cheers

Pink

Costuming takes you away from the ordinary and makes your creative skills extraordinary.

Interests:Fashion Sketching
Sewing
Historical Patterns and Techniques
Anything to do with Corset Building

I'm currently working on:1950's petticoat

State:NSW

Posted 03 April 2012 - 11:24 AM

This is not really a costuming book but I have found it very helpful for maintaining my wardrobe. It's called MEND IT BETTER by Kristin M. Roach. I bought it on Fishpond.com.au. It teaches how to make an emergency mend kit and how to patch, hem, and darn things in a way that celebrates repair and praises patches (without trying to hide your handy work.) There is also a section on washing and what all those funny symbols mean on clothing labels. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to extend the life of their clothing and costumes.

HI,
Here's one for your bookshelf if you love steampunk: http://www.bookdepos...s/9780810989580 I was able to get my library to buy a copy and am currently reading it. I hope that you will enjoy reading it as much as I do.

Cheers

Pink

Costuming takes you away from the ordinary and makes your creative skills extraordinary.

Here is another book that is great for collectors of reference materials for 20th century projects: Classic Fashion Patterns: Of the 20th Century by Anne Tyrrell http://www.bookdepos...l/9781906388515 it has scaled key patterns one for both women and men for each decade. Also those who love museum quality reference books Russian Elegance: http://www.bookdepos...a/9781908126078, I got my copy this week and drooled over the photos! Great if you love looking at ethnic and western european fashions from late 1700's. My book habbit is terrible I will have to do a weed of my collection and decide what to keep or give a way. Sigh I love my collection.

Costuming takes you away from the ordinary and makes your creative skills extraordinary.

For those who are beginning their millinery journey I can recommend a modern millinery book called Hats! by Sarah Cant. It has everything that Waltruad Reiner taught me at Sturt and much more. See: http://www.bookdepos...t/9781408129029 I have a copy and I love how it is up to date and explains techniques in modern English unlike the historical books I have in my collection.

Cheers

Pink

Costuming takes you away from the ordinary and makes your creative skills extraordinary.

Interests:Fashion Sketching
Sewing
Historical Patterns and Techniques
Anything to do with Corset Building

I'm currently working on:1950's petticoat

State:NSW

Posted 07 July 2012 - 01:48 PM

I haven't bought for that period yet. But I am working on a smock from the Tudor Tailor.

My copy of Tudor Tailor arrived yesterday. I can't wait to sink my teeth into it. Thanks for letting me know about this book. P.S. I've been watching old episodes of The Tudors and I'm hooked on The Borgias. I think I may try to bring back slashed sleeves as a fashion statement. Think it will work????

Now who is beginning to work with wigs, prosthetics, wigs, millinery, accessories and altering old garments for new purposes? I guess that describes most of us to some degree. However, if you belong to the local theatre group with some budgetary discretion to spend on creating characters then this book may be for you. I would recommend that you get this book on Inter Library Loan to see if it suits your needs:

Costume Craftwork on a Budget by Tan Huaixiang published by Focal Press.

See Trove entry for a library that may lend to you on ILL through your local public library branch.

"Part of the costume designer's job is to be creative and use what materials are available to execute the design elements in a production. This book shows you how to use inexpensive materials to create durable products in a short amount of time that are both practical and attractive. Costume Craftwork on a Budget is written in an easy-to-follow manner and each step is shown with a wide array of full color illustrations and photographs. From creating armor out of laundry baskets to detailed tricks for creating a witch's prosthetic nose, this book provides the techniques needed to produce end results that are beautiful, economical, and safe."--BOOK JACKET.

Interests:Fashion Sketching
Sewing
Historical Patterns and Techniques
Anything to do with Corset Building

I'm currently working on:1950's petticoat

State:NSW

Posted 29 September 2012 - 11:30 AM

I just got making vintage accessories: 25 original sewing projects inspired by the 1920's-60's by Emma Brennan. I hope to use this book to help me make some of my vintage inspired dresses into whole ensembles. There are bags, hats, gloves and even jewelry projects, in this this book.

I just got making vintage accessories: 25 original sewing projects inspired by the 1920's-60's by Emma Brennan. I hope to use this book to help me make some of my vintage inspired dresses into whole ensembles. There are bags, hats, gloves and even jewelry projects, in this this book.

I really liked that book especially the vintage trim instructions. I give it the thumbs up too.

Costuming takes you away from the ordinary and makes your creative skills extraordinary.

Well we've been talking mostly about P-books [paper books]. So those who are getting use to E-books and I am one of them - using disk space instead of shelf space. Go over the the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Publication Page and have a look at the out of print catalogues. These are now available for download for free, nadda, nothing - just save them to your hard drive on your computer, e-book reader or tablet.

Hi here's a quick post for the men folk. Vintage Menswear: A collection from the Vintage Showroom. It is an excellent source of high quality photos of actual vintage mens wear from the early 1900's to about the 1960's. Let you imagination run wild from steam punk, deasil punk, aviation themes etc. My library had a copy and I grabbed it the moment it came across my desk. http://www.bookdepos...s/9781856698832 So all men folk get a look at it and drool, imagine and create!

Costuming takes you away from the ordinary and makes your creative skills extraordinary.

For lovers of shoes: Shoes a history from sandals to sneakers. Great if you want to learn about the styles of shoes through history but don't have a cupboard like a Hollywood star to keep your collection in.

Another great book came today: Basics in Fashion Design 03: Construction. I can't wait to get into reading it covers topics from pattern cutting to fastenings and haberdashery. http://www.booktopia...2940373758.html A great primer for beginners - also your library may have a copy to borrow that's how I spied this great book.

Costuming takes you away from the ordinary and makes your creative skills extraordinary.